Exotic North Sulawesi beach tourism

 North Sulawesi is known for its diversity of tourism potential.

Some of the tourist attractions that are served can only be found in North Sulawesi

Most tourists who visit North Sulawesi aim for diving and snorkeling. However, actually it's not only Bunaken, there are many other beaches around it that you really must visit if you come to North Sulawesi

1. benchmark beach(Patokan Beach)

Patokan Beach or also known as Patokan Jiko Beach, Tanjung Silar. Flanked by two high cliffs, this beach has its own characteristics. In addition, the white sand makes this beach look really cool

Patokan Beach is a new beach in Bolaang Mongondow Regency, East, North Sulawesi. Although the benchmark beach is still relatively new and is starting to be known to the public, its beauty is predicted to resemble the May Bay beach in Phuket Thailand.

Sturdy sand cliffs surround part of the beach. No wonder if from the top of the cliff it will look like you are in a white sandy trough. The wide expanse of sand is very soft and white plus the pounding of the waves makes visitors more hysterical to enjoy the excitement. The high cliffs overgrown by wild grass are a sight to have a wild impression on this beach. Moreover, not all visitors can directly come here, adding to the private impression on the beach

Patokan Beach is located in Jiko Village, Nuangan District, East Bolaang Mongondow Regency, North Sulawesi Province. If we come from the direction of the capital of the East Bolaang Mongondow Regency, namely Tutuyan, it can be reached in about 15-20 minutes by road by motorbike or car. Meanwhile, if from Kotamobagu it takes about 1-2 hours of travel. Meanwhile, from the center of the capital city of North Sulawesi Province, Manado City, it is quite far, which is almost a 4-5 hour drive

2. Bunaken National Park

It's no secret that Bunaken National Park is a favorite place for tourists when visiting North Sulawesi, until now Bunaken is still an idol for diving and snorkeling lovers.

Bunaken National Park is a conservation area for tropical aquatic ecosystems located in the center of the world's coral reef triangle.

The location of the Bunaken National Park area is in North Sulawesi Province with Manado City as the closest city.

Bunaken National Park was established in 1991 and has an area of ​​89,065 hectares.

Of this area, 97 percent of them are marine habitats, while the remaining 3 percent are land.

Bunaken National Park includes five islands, namely Bunaken Island, Manado Tua Island, Mantehage Island, Naen Island, and Siladen Island.

3. Bunaken Island

Right across from Bunaken Island, there is a small island, namely Siladen Island, dominated by a stretch of white sand, and surrounded by trees that add to the exotic beauty of this island.

The underwater nature of this island always makes tourists from all over the world chuckle in awe. Rich in marine life is the reason why this island is like magic for tourists who come and go. Well-maintained coral reefs, beautiful types of colorful fish, are very easy to find on this island in the North Sulawesi region. This island is called Bunaken Island, one of 4 islands in the worldwide Bunaken National Park.

Bunaken Island is located in Manado Bay, adjacent to Manado Tua Island, Siladen Island and Mantihage Island. Administratively, the island which has an area of ​​about 8000 hectares is included in the area of ​​Manado City.

Heading to Bunaken Island, tourists can come to the port of Manado City or Marina Harbor which is only 10 minutes from the city center. In this port there are many boats and fast boats that are ready to help tourists to get to Bunaken Island. Boat rental fees range from IDR 900,000 to IDR 2,500,000. This price depends on the size of the boat used.

4. old menado island

 Shifted slightly from Siladen Island, there is Manado Tua Island. This island also has coral reefs that are no less beautiful than Bunaken. Besides diving, Manado Tua is also the best place to enjoy the sunset

This one island is also one of the islands that you can explore while in North Sulawesi. The reason is, Mando Tua island holds a lot of surprises that you would love to miss. The underwater beauty offered by this one island is also quite stunning so that later you will be amazed by the state of this one island.

In addition, the island, which is still part of the Bunaken National Park, not only saves the beauty of marine tourism, but can also be one of the historic tourist attractions that you can visit while in this area. Not only that, when you are spending time here later you can choose activities that trigger adrenaline.

Just pay IDR 25 thousand per person, the thrill of the challenge with Banana Boat Sport Air and UFO Boat will be an interesting challenge. However, it is recommended only for visitors who can swim to try these two types of water sports.

5. kakas tumpaan beach

Minahasa Regency, North Sulawesi, there is one tourist attraction that is currently being discussed on social media.

The east coast in Minahasa is partly on the coast and has many beaches that tantalize the eye.

Such as Tumpaan Beach in Tumpaan Village, Kakas District. The beach which stretches for approximately 200 meters presents a beautiful stretch of sand.

Coconut trees which are right on the outskirts of this beach create a cool atmosphere even in the scorching heat of the sun and the white sand of Tumpaan Kakas Beach is also very exotic.

8.bitung

BITUNG in the landscape are Mount Duasudara and Lembeh Island. For those who are visiting Bitung for the first time (1 hour road trip from Manado) they will surely be amazed to see Duasudara mountain which seems to dominate the scenery. This Duasudara mountain appears to have two peaks (although there are actually 3 peaks), has a height of 1,361 meters above sea level, and the duration of the ascent to the peak of shining light usually takes 4 hours. The vegetation on the slopes of Mount Duasudara is dominated by palm trees.

Lembeh Island from the air is shaped like a sickle shield that protects the city of Bitung from the waves of the Pacific Ocean. That is what causes the waters in the Lembeh strait to remain calm throughout the year. It only takes about 10 minutes to cross by ferry from Bitung to Lembeh.

Here there is Pareng Bitung Beach and Swallow Beach.

Both of these beaches have black sand, the black sand makes the sea water look very contrasting when the waves crash. Located right in the Tangkoko Tropical Forest, you can see firsthand the rare mammals that are protected here, namely Tarsiers

The sand on this beach is jet black, due to the volcanic activity of Mount Tangkoko in the past. Coral rocks from cold lava appear blackened around the coast. To me this is exotic. Even our guide said that foreign tourists who come to Bitung prefer black sand beaches to white sand beaches because they are more rare and unique.